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 The following is  provided by The Bible Study Center of Irvine,
Kentucky as a thought starter from one of over 2200 in-depth
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Our purpose in this study is to let the Bible itself answer
the question; "HOW SHOULD THE BIBLE BE INTERPRETED, IN ORDER
TO OBTAIN THE TRUTH?

In Genesis 3, we  read  the  first  message  ever to  be
preached by anyone other than God Himself. In verse 4, the
serpent says "Ye shall not surely die"!  THE SERPENT TOLD
THE TRUTH IF YOU INTERPRET HIS MESSAGE IN A LITERAL AND
PHYSICAL MANNER. HOWEVER, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT
GOD SPOKE TO BE SPIRITUAL IN THEIR REFERENCE, THEN  GOD TOLD
THE TRUTH AND THE SERPENT LIED. In other words, THERE  ARE
TWO MAJOR methods, that are used to interpret the Bible. The
"literalist" says the Bible is to be read in strictly a
literal manner, just as you would read a newspaper or most
other books. The other method is to interpret the Bible in a
"spiritual" or symbolic manner. Although there certainly are
texts of scripture that indicate within their contexts that
they have only a literal meaning, to limit the entire Bible
to a strictly LITERAL interpretation is to limit the amount
of revelation that one can obtain from the scriptures.

Let's  notice  something  carefully!  The  serpent was a
"literalist". God had said in Gen. 2:17, "But of the tree of
the knowledge good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in
the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." The
serpent may very well have eaten from that forbidden tree in
the past and therefore knew that he did not die (literally
and physically). Whatever the source of his reasoning, he
seemingly knew that death (in the flesh) would not come to
Eve as a result of eating the fruit. Yet, even though the
serpent was right in a LITERAL sense, Adam and Eve DID die
SPIRITUALLY in the day that they ate of the forbidden fruit.
Listening to a strictly LITERAL interpretation of the Word of
God got them and all of us into alot of trouble.

Since the days of Adam and Eve, even the devil himself
(Beelzebub) has demonstrated that he uses a  literalist
approach  in his preaching. If we study Jesus' temptation
in Matthew 4:1-11 for example, the devil's message was
about literal bread, while Jesus' concern was spiritual
bread. He told Jesus, that He should cast himself down from
the pinnacle of the temple, because God had promised to
prevent Jesus from being harmed. Our Savior realized, that
the scripture the devil used, referred to spiritual
protection, so he rebuked the devil by  putting the word of
God on him. Even the last temptation was an attempt to
interest Jesus in literal kingdoms, rather than the
spiritual kingdom Jesus was setting up!

From  our  study  thus far, it  would  appear that the devil
is a literalist preacher. That should not surprise us. Paul
taught in II Corinthians 3:6 that "the letter (ie: the Greek
word for letter means literal) killeth, but the spirit (ie:
spiritual) giveth life." The entire context is basically a
study of the TRUE METHOD of interpreting and ministering the
word of God. This passage is not the only teaching that Paul
gives us on this subject. In I Corinthians 2:6-7, he
contrasts two different types of wisdom.
     1. The wisdom of this world.
     2. The wisdom of God.
Paul gives us a great deal of help in these verses. We know
that the world's wisdom is LITERAL, PHYSICAL understanding of
things. Paul tells us that the world's type of wisdom
(literal) will come to nothing. However, he shows us that
there is a "hidden", or "mystery" wisdom that is of God. If
it is hidden or concealed, then it has to be disguised in
symbolism. Multitudes of people are constantly trying to
figure out God's symbolism, but there is only one way. GOD
MUST REVEAL IT TO US!! He does that by actually hiding the
keys to understanding the Bible in the Bible itself. The only
way to prevent us from being deceived by wrong
interpretations is to allow the Bible to interpret itself.

The "keys"  have  been  hidden so  as to only  allow the
"Family of God" to have access to them. That way, only saved
people have the means of fully understanding the DEEP TRUTHS
OF GOD'S WORD (I Cor. 2:9-10). This is what Paul was showing
us in I Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not
the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned." We can understand who the "natural
Man" is, when we realize the Greek word translated "natural",
is the same word as is translated "sensual" in Jude 19 "These
be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the
Spirit." It is obvious from both contexts, that the "natural
man" is a LOST PERSON. Friend, we need to face facts. The
LOST PERSON can receive or understand the Bible if it is to
be taken literally (ie: for only what it means on the
surface). In fact, the interpretation that the lost consider
foolish, is the way the Bible interprets itself.

Paul hits another "home run" for spiritual interpretation in
I Corinthians 2:13 "Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy  Ghost
teacheth; comparing   spiritual things   with  spiritual."
In other words, man's wisdom didn't determine the words Paul
used  when  he  preached. Let's face facts; to  communicate
with  words  in  a  literal  manner,  man's  wisdom  is  all
that is needed.  However, Paul did not  communicate  with
just  literal  meanings  of words.  He also  spoke  often
in  a  symbolic  manner.  Let's  look  briefly  at a few of
the   passages  where   Paul  used  spiritual  symbolism in
his letters. In I Corinthians 3:2, Paul said, "I have fed you
with milk, and not with meat:  for hitherto ye were not able
to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." That of course is a
very simple spiritual symbolism. As we all can quite readily
see from the context, Paul had to preach very simple messages
at Corinth and he had to hold back the more complex truths.
You will not find any deep spiritual "meat" in Paul's letters
to the " church of God at Corinth."

If we were to take time to carefully examine the  spiritual
"milk", or  simple  symbolism  in  Paul's  letters to  the
Corinthian  saints, we would learn the following:
     1.  Preaching  is  symbolized by planting  and watering
(I Cor. 3:6-8).
     2. The CHURCH is a spiritual building; a temple    (I
Cor. 3:10-17)
    3. A spiritual  building can go through the test of
spiritual fire; which comes through the preaching of God's
word (I Cor. 3:13-15); see also Jer. 5:14; Ps. 104:4
     4.  Christians are spiritual KINGS  that reign over
Satan and over their flesh. (I Cor. 4:8); see also Rev. 1:6
     5. Leaven is a symbol of malice and wickedness.
Unleavened bread is a symbol of TRUTH. (I Cor. 5:6-8) see
also John 6:24-64.
     6. The passover lamb is a symbol of Jesus as our
sacrifice. (I Cor. 5:7) see also I Peter 1:19.
     7. A true church is spiritually the  BODY  OF CHRIST.
(I Cor. 6:15 and 12:27).
     8. Oxen are symbols of God called and sent preachers. (I
Cor. 9:9-10).
     9. A crown is a symbol of victory in the Christian race.
(I Cor. 9:25)
     10. The rock from which the children of Israel obtained
water was a symbol of Christ. (I Cor. 10:4)
     11. The spiritual meat or manna was a type of Christ as
the word of God. (I Cor. 10:3; John 6:31-63).
     12. The children of  Israel were a spiritual, symbolic
picture of Christian people. (I Cor. 10:1-11; Rom. 2:28-29;
Gal. 3:16 & 29).
     13. A physical body and  its various parts portrays a
spiritual picture of the church. (I Cor. 12:12-27).
     14. A "glass" or mirror is a symbol of the word of God.
(I Cor. 13:12) see  also  James 1:22-24.
     15. A trumpet represents the sounding forth of the word
of God. (I Cor. 14:8) see also Rev. 1:10 & 4:1; Ezek. 33:1-7.
     16. Adam was a type or symbol of  Jesus Christ. (I Cor.
15:45-47) see also Rom. 5:14.

We could actually  cover quite a  few more  that we  skipped
in  I  Corinthians, and we could gain many more symbols from
Paul's other writings. However, this should be sufficient to
show that even when the word of God is sent to carnal "babes"
(another symbol, I Cor. 3:1), it still is sprinkled with much
spiritual symbolism.

We  need  to  always  keep in  mind that God's symbolism is
consistent. Though some symbols may portray a dual meaning,
they will always represent the same things wherever they are
found. As you study the historical events described in the
Bible (which have not always happened literally), keep in
mind that each one is a spiritual "type" or picture that we
can interpret by means of the Bible's consistent symbolism,
and they will teach us wonderful spiritual truth (ie: they'll
no longer be mysteries to us).

Another  aspect  of simple  symbolism  is the  way the Bible
uses so many things to spiritually typify Christ. Just a few
of the many are as follows.
     "Door"--John 10:9
     "Vine"--John 15:1
     "Good Shepherd"--John 10:11
     "Lamb"--John 1:29 & I Peter 1:19
     "Cornerstone"--I Peter 2:6 & 7; Eph. 2:15-22
     "Bread"--John 6:26-66
     "Rock"--I Corinthians 10:4
     "Temple"--John 2:19-21
     "Kingly Lion"--Revelation 5:5 (which is contrasted with
Satan as a devouring lion - I Peter 5:8)
     "The Word of God"--John 1 & Rev. 19:11-16
     "Altar"--Hebrews 13:10
     "Way"--John 14:6
     "Truth"--John 14:6
     "Life"--John 14:6
     "Water"--John 7:37
     "Resurrection"--John 11:25
     "Light"--John 12:35 & 46
     "Sun"--Malachi 4:2 & Matthew 13:6 & 21
     "Bridegroom"--John 3:29
     "Hart"--Song of Solomon 2:9
     "King"--Revelation 19:16
     "High Priest"--Heb. 7:17-26 & 4:14-15
     "Prophet"--Matthew 13:57 & Acts 3:22
     "Branch"--Zechariah 3:8 & 4:12
     "Brazen Serpent"--John 3:14-15
     "Judge"--Acts 10:42
     "Star"--Rev. 22:16
     "Myrrh"--Song of Solomon 1:13
     "Fountain"--Jer. 2:13 & Zech. 13:1
     "Eagle"--Deut. 32:11-12; Exodus 19:4
     "Rose of Sharon"--Song of Solomon 2:1
     "Refining Fire"--Malachi 3:2-3
     "Fuller's Soap"--Malachi 3:2-3
     "Advocate"--I John 2:1
     "Counsellor"--Isaiah 9:6
     "Foundation"--I Cor. 3:11; Isa. 28:16
     "Heir"--Heb. 1:2
     "Witness"--Rev. 3:14: Rev. 1:5
     "Root"--Rev. 22:16
     "Lily of The Valley"--Song of Solomon 2:1
     "Man of War"--Exodus 15:3
     "Tower"--Psalms 18:2; Proverbs 18:10
     "Refuge"--Hebrews 6:18; Psalms 46:1

Surely  we  could continue  on and  on giving  symbols used
to represent Jesus. However, these should at least give us a
glimpse of spiritual symbolism. Jesus is not LITERALLY these
various things. Think, for example, of the difficulties of
being both fire and water, or both shepherd and lamb. Surely
the words of Paul in Colossians 3:11 describe our Lord well.
CHRIST IS ALL!!!

Someone  might  ask, "Why  would  God want  to conceal the
true spiritual meaning of His word and only allow saved
people to understand it? To answer that, let me ask the
reader a question. Do husbands and wives want everything they
have to say to one another to be heard by everyone? Do
families sometimes talk over things amongst themselves that
they would rather not discuss among strangers? Remember,
God's church is the BRIDE of Christ and the FAMILY of God.
Therefore, the word of God only yields its true meaning to
TRUE SPIRIT BORN  CHRISTIANS!! They are the ones who will be
THRILLED by the word of God. Just picture a wife who
genuinely and wholeheartedly loves her husband. If he speaks,
she LOVES to hear him express his will since she wants so
much to please him. His word is precious to her. That's the
way that saved people react to the word of God. It is the
manifestation of Jesus Christ, our beloved (spiritual)
husband.

In  Matthew  13:10-17, Jesus  was  teaching on  these very
lines. The disciples asked him why he taught in parables. He
explained that it was because he wanted some (His true
people) to understand, while the same message would confound
and confuse others (the unsaved). A parable is a means of
speaking in symbolism. Though the Bible is historically true,
God has chosen certain portions of history to be recorded,
and has caused them to be written down in a way that forms
parables or spiritual pictures. The Bible is not given to be
a history book alone. Those stories convey spiritual
symbolism for us today. As we have already noted, we must let
the Bible provide us with the keys to the symbols, if we are
to interpret the scripture correctly.

Let's notice a  few  passages  of  scripture, and see what
they would teach if they were taken at literal, face value:
     1. Talking stones and boards. (Hab. 2:11)
     2. Trees clapping their hands. (Isa. 55:12)
     3. Trumpets talking. (Rev. 1:10 & 4:1)
     4. One third  of the stars in the sky are cast down on
the earth, yet the earth is not destroyed. (Rev. 12:4)
     5. The earth has a mouth  that can open and drink a
flood. (Rev. 12:16)
  6.Jesus carries  His sword in His mouth. (Rev. 1:16 &
19:15)
     7. Grape juice  up to the horse's bridles in a space
about 200 miles long. (Rev. 14:18-20)
     8. A city built on this planet that is 1500 miles long,
1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. (Rev. 21:16) The earth
is only about 8000 miles in diameter.
     9. Saved people are beasts  that look like LIONS,
CALVES, MEN, and EAGLES; they have six wings, and never
sleep. (Rev. 4:7 & 8 and 5:8-10)
    10. Jesus is a gold  dealer  and a clothing salesman.
(Rev. 3:18)
    11. Clouds with no  water in them  are actually false
prophets. (Jude 12)
    12. Wells that  are  dry are actually false prophets (II
Peter 2:17)
    13. If you believe in Jesus, you really DO  NOT believe
in him. (John 12:44)
    14. Jesus  does not save people; He saves sheep. (John
10:26-28)
    15. True believers can  be  identified by a strange
stomach condition. (John 7:38)
    16. We receive eternal  life by practicing cannibalism.
(John 6:53-57)
    17. If the Bible  is only literal, it teaches
reincarnation. (Mal. 4:5)
    18. The SEA gets converted. (Isa. 60:5)
    19. Trees are righteous. (Isa. 61:3)
    20. Everyone must  move to one part of the earth for the
literal sun to shine on them, because it will never set, and
the moon will remain in one place also. (Isa. 60:20)

Naturally, we realize  that  all  of  those  passages are
spiritually symbolic. However, you can see from these few
examples how that people come up with some very strange
teachings.

Typical  examples  of a  lost  person  misunderstanding the
word of God, are given in John 3 and 4. In John 3, Nicodemus
thinks that being "born again" is a literal, fleshly birth
(verse 4), and in John 4, when Jesus offers the Samaritan
woman the water of life, she thinks He means literal water
(verse 15). These are simple, historical passages, which God
saw fit to include in the Bible to help us easily see His
word is symbolic.

Another scripture  that  can  help  us  to know how to
interpret the Bible, can be found in Luke 24:27, "And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto
them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." If
we give this situation a little careful thought, we can
readily see that it says alot more than might first meet the
eye. Jesus is teaching about himself, from ALL of the
scriptures which people commonly call the Old Testament
(Actually the Old Testament was a certain will or covenant
God made, and not a particular part of the Bible). Our
scripture here especially emphasizes the writings of Moses
(ie: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), and
those of the prophets. When Jesus explained what those
scriptures meant (as pertaining to himself), HE WAS NOT JUST
TEACHING FROM PASSAGES THAT WERE OBVIOUS REFERENCES TO
CHRIST! He was revealing hidden truth; opening up the "door",
that would allow the two disciples to understand the
spiritual symbolism. The disciples worded it this way in Luke
24:32, "And they said one to another, did not our heart burn
within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he
opened to us the scriptures?" If we  also notice  Luke 24:44,
Jesus  tells us  again that there is alot of teaching about
him (AND HE IS FULFILLING ALL OF IT SPIRITUALLY TODAY!!!
Examine contexts of passages referring to Jesus literally.),
in the writings of the prophets. This lets us know that we
have a vast amount of scripture to study in those passages if
we are to have the scriptures "opened" to us, so we can see
the hidden spiritual truths that teach us SO MUCH MORE ABOUT
JESUS.  There is alot more truth about Jesus in Moses'
writings than  what you can find in the four gospels. In fact,
 EVERY "STORY" in the "Old Testament" (which includes the
four gospels - Hebrews 9:16-17), has a HIDDEN SPIRITUAL
MEANING. Some passages contain much deeper symbolism than
others. The only way to definitely know the true meanings of
any "types" in the Bible is to learn the meanings of each of
the "key" symbols. Then the Holy Spirit will help you to
grasp the true significance of the overall story.

Many people mostly  ignore  what  they call the "Old
Testament" (Genesis through Malachi) when it comes to
teaching church doctrine today. However, Romans 15:4 says:
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written
for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope."

The  Greek word   translated  "learning", is  generally
translated "doctrine" in the Bible. Paul is referring back to
the scriptures that were written during the Old Covenant (Old
Testament). Peter tells us these scriptures were inspired by
the Holy Ghost.

II  Peter  1:21  "For  the  prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost." Since  the  (so-called) Old  Testament
was inspired  by  the Holy Spirit, God was able to convey the
historical events in such a manner as to portray spiritual
truth in a hidden or disguised form. That way, the lost
people would be kept from knowing the "secrets" that God
only wanted to reveal to His family. Just think, if your
family were scattered in different parts of the world and you
were going to try to communicate private family information
to them (ie: by way of some internationally circulated
publication), wouldn't you want to disguise the message in
some way so that only your family would understand? That is
the way God wanted it. He does not want to "feed" his
spiritual food to the whole world. He wants to "FEED" his
family (Acts 20:28, John 6:53-63, and Jer. 3:15).

II Timothy 3:15, "And  that  from  a  child thou hast known
the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." verse 16,
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:"

Paul  has  given  us a "key"  in  this passage, as to WHICH
SCRIPTURES he is especially referring. He was writing to
Timothy, who was a grown man and a preacher of the gospel.
When Timothy was a child not very many of the (so-called)
"New Testament" scriptures had been written. That means that
Timothy had (mostly) been taught from Genesis to Malachi.
Paul certainly included  these then when he said "ALL
SCRIPTURE" is profitable for "DOCTRINE".

We want  to  stress  one more  time that  if (for example)
Genesis is mostly history and does not (as we have taught)
have a much deeper SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE, then God really
wasted alot of space in the Bible and gave us more history
than doctrine. Since John 21:25 tells us that if everything
that Jesus did were written down the world could not contain
all the books, we must realize that the Lord was very
selective in choosing what He would put in our Bible. EVERY
STORY has a hidden, spiritual meaning that will convey to us
spiritual LIGHT, if we will only be willing to receive it and
LIVE BY IT.

Many people listen to doctrines preached week after week,
without stopping to check the Bible to see if they are being
taught false doctrine. We would like to challenge the reader
to carefully compare the thoughts on the following pages with
the scriptures that are given, to determine whether or not
you are being taught the truth. Friend, we do not have to be
afraid to search the scriptures. If we really love the Lord,
we want to be certain that we are "feeding" on His word, and
not the words of men. TRUTH WILL STAND! We do not have to
worry about truth being taken from us if we will carefully
search out ALL the scripture on the subject. The following
brief thoughts and accompanying scriptures ARE BY NO MEANS
COMPLETE STUDIES OF THE VARIOUS SUBJECTS! They are intended
only to give the reader some seed thoughts on these various
subjects, to challenge our thinking, and to enable us to
study and see if perhaps we may be wrong in some of our
beliefs. We realize there are scriptures that seem to teach
contrary to these we list. We only want to inspire the reader
to study these subjects.
            *         *         *         *         *
Many  people  are  taught, that  at the  end of time, the
EARTH AND THE UNIVERSE WILL BE ANNIHILATED. We realize that
II Peter the third chapter seems to teach this (at first
glance), but that comes as a result of the terminology used
in the translating. Have you ever considered these passages?

Psalms 104:5, "Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it
should not be removed for ever."

Psalms 72:17, "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall
be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in
him: all nations shall call him blessed."


Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation  passeth away, and another
generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever."

Psalms 78:69, "And he built his sanctuary like high palaces,
like the earth which he hath established for ever."

Psalms 89:37, "It shall be established for ever as the moon,
and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah."

Psalms 102:26, "They shall perish, but thou shalt endure:
yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture
shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:"

The  reader  should  make  a  study   of the word "perish".
Food that has perished is not annihilated; it is spoiled. The
word refers to the corrupting of the earth, and the fact that
the Lord will have to "change" it at the end of time. We
realize that there are spiritual lessons in these passages
that are much more important.

          *         *         *         *         *
          Most  people  are being  taught  that the  LITERAL
JEWS ARE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE. This is because they do not
understand the true manner of Bible interpretation. They do
not realize that God used the LITERAL events of the Old
Testament to portray SPIRITUAL lessons  for the  people of
God today (I Cor. 10:1-11). God made some promises to Abraham
and his seed. Who are Abraham's seed? Have you considered
these passages?

Galations 3:16, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the
promises made. He saith not, And to  seeds, as of many; but
as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." verse 26, "For
ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
verse 27, "For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ." verse 28, "There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." verse
29, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and
heirs according to the promise."

Romans 2:28, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly;
neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:"
verse 29, "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in
the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."  Romans
9:4, "Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption,
and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law,
and the service of God, and the promises:(?)" verse 6, "Not
as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they
are not all Israel, which are of Israel:" verse 7,"Neither,
because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:
but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called." verse 8, "That is,
They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the
children of God: but the children of the promise are counted
for the seed."

(A careful study of this last passage will
reveal that either Paul contradicts himself in this passage,
or else verse 4 is asking questions that he goes on to
answer. In any case, verses 6 to 8 should be studied in the
light of what Paul teaches in Romans 2:28-29, as these verses
are written earlier in the same letter.)
          *         *         *         *         *
Many  people  are being  taught, that  SOON THERE  WILL BE A
WAR THAT WILL BE SO TERRIBLE, THAT MEN'S BLOOD WILL FLOW "UP
TO THE HORSE'S BRIDLES." This is an interpretation of
Revelation 14:20. Have you considered the context of that
verse? Revelation 14:18-19 show that if taken LITERALLY,
these verses are talking about GRAPE JUICE up to the horse's
bridles. However, we must stress that NONE of these verses
are meant to be taken LITERALLY. Certainly if they were, then
it would be speaking of LITERAL HORSES, AND LITERAL GRAPE
JUICE. Instead, the Lord is revealing to His people (TRUE
CHRISTIANS), that there is not only a TRUE VINE (John 15:1-
7), WHICH IS THE VINE COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, but there is
also a "VINE OF THE EARTH". Jesus and his church are the
"true vine", so the vine of the earth would picture the
EARTHLY or FALSE CHURCH SYSTEM which is to face the wrath of
God.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many  people are  being  taught  that GOD  LOVES EVERYBODY.
We realize that John 3:16 SEEMS to teach this doctrine.
Naturally, everyone is familiar with that verse. However,
have you considered these verses?

Psalms 5:5, "The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou
hatest all workers of iniquity."

Psalms 11:5, "The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

John 14:21, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,
he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved
of my Father, and I will love  him, and  will manifest myself
to him."

Malachi 1:2, "I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say,
Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother?
saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob," verse 3,"And I hated
Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the
dragons of the wilderness."

John 15:10, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my
love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide
in his love."

(compare Hebrews 12:6-8 with Proverbs 13:24.)

Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." verse 7, "If ye
endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for
what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" verse 8, "But
if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers,
then are ye bastards, and not sons."

Proverbs 13:24, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but
he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

In  other  words, if  God loves  you, He  chastises you. If
He does not HE HATES YOU.
          *         *         *         *         *
Most  people are  being taught  the GOOD  FRIDAY  MYTH. That
is, that Jesus was crucified on Friday, and rose on Sunday.
Many people even say they do not see what difference it
makes. Matthew 12:39, "But he answered and said unto them, An
evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and
there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the
prophet Jonas:" verse 40, "For as Jonas was three days and
three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." This
means that IF JESUS DID DIE ON FRIDAY AND ROSE ON SUNDAY, HE
IS A FRAUD! Even if you do not figure time in the manner that
the Jews did, and even if you count all parts of days, you
can not get more than two nights from Friday to Sunday. You
will probably be surprised what a careful study of the Bible
will reveal.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many  people  are  taught that  you receive  the Holy Spirit
SOME TIME LATER after being saved, IN A SECOND WORK OF GRACE.
However, even though there are some passages of scripture
that seem to teach such a doctrine at first glance, have you
considered Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, Now
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his."? A carefull study of the entire chapter will reveal
that a person who is "in the flesh", IS NOT JUST A REFERENCE
TO HAVING A HUMAN BODY! Instead, Paul has described such a
person as being "carnally minded" (the words "flesh",
"carnal", and "carnally" are all translated from the same
Greek word in these verses). This type of person is
spiritually dead (vs. 6), and is an enemy of God who is not
subject to His law (vs. 7), and cannot please God (vs. 8).
This is definitely a picture of a lost person. Verse 9 shows
us that the only way that you are not in this condition
(lost), is IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN (ie: INSIDE) YOU!
He continues by saying that if the Spirit of Christ is not in
us, we are not saved. Should someone object  and say that the
Spirit of Christ is not the Holy Ghost, please study the
following verses carefully.

I Peter 1:10, "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired
and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you:" verse 11, "Searching what, or what
manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ, and the glory that should follow."

II Peter 1:21, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the
will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost."

In  I Peter, it  tells  us that the  men of  God in the Old
Testament were inspired by the "Spirit of Christ". II Peter
tells us that they were inspired by the "Holy Ghost".
??????????????? The Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God
are the same, "one Spirit" (Eph. 4:4).?????????????????????
          *         *         *         *         *
Many  people are taught  that Elijah  went to  heaven (where
God dwells) in a whirlwind and a chariot of fire. However, if
the reader will make a careful study of the thought in John
3:13, "And no man hath ascended  up to heaven, but he that
came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in
heaven.", AND the reference to Elijah writing a letter in II
Chronicles 21:12 (as well as the chronology of Jehoram the
son of Jehoshaphat), you will find that God only took Elijah
up into the sky, and transported him to another part of this
world (ie: the letter was written several years after
Elijah's "sky-ride").
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people  are being  taught  that IF  YOU GET  SAVED, ALL
YOUR TROUBLES WILL BE OVER. However, have you considered
these scriptures?

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me
ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

II Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution." verse 13, "But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived."

Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on
earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." verse 35, "For
I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and
the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law." verse 36, "And a man's foes shall
be they of his own household."

Matthew 5:10, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
verse 11, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake." verse 12, "Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted
they the prophets which were before you."  I Peter 2:19, "For
this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God
endure grief, suffering wrongfully." verse 20, "For what
glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye
shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer
for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."
verse 21, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps:"

I Peter 3:14, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake,
happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be
troubled;"

I Peter 4:12, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you:" verse 13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye
are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory
shall be revealed, ye may  be glad also with exceeding joy."
verse 14, "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy
are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:
on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is
glorified." verse 15, "But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody
in other men's matters." verse 16, "Yet if any man suffer as
a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God
on this behalf."

Psalms 34:19, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but
the Lord delivereth him out of them all."
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people are  taught  that  an   ANTICHRIST will soon rule
the world. Because of this teaching, many people misuse
Paul's teaching in II Thessalonians (2:1-12). There are NO
REFERENCES in the Bible to AN ANTICHRIST, but there are
references to MANY ANTICHRISTS. All false religions are of
the "spirit of antichrist."

I John 2:18, "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye
have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
verse 19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us:
for  if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us."

I John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world." verse 2, "Hereby know ye the
Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ
is come in the flesh is of God:" verse 3, "And every spirit
that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is
not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye
have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in
the world." verse 4, "Ye are of God, little  children, and
have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world." verse 5, "They are of the
world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them." verse 6, "We are of God: he that knoweth God
heareth us; he that is not of God heareth  not us, Hereby
know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
THIS SCRIPTURE DOES NOT TEACH THAT EVERYONE WHO SAYS THAT
JESUS "CAME" IN THE FLESH IS OF GOD. However, we cover this
subject in another study.
            *            *            *            *

Most  people  today  are talking  exitedly  about THE GREAT
REVIVAL OF OUR DAY. They believe that multitudes of people
are being saved. IF THIS WERE REALLY TRUE, WE ALSO WOULD
GREATLY REJOICE. However, are these GENUINE EXPERIENCES? We
all realize that Jesus' greatest enemies in the days that He
walked physically upon this earth (AND IN ALL AGES), have
been RELIGIOUS PEOPLE. Thus, Beelzebub would rather you be a
GOOD, WELL BEHAVED, RELIGIOUS PERSON, than a drunkard in the
gutters, or a harlot in a house of prostitution. Paul, before
his conversion would have been gladly accepted by most
churches today as a pastor. However, as GOOD a person as
"SAUL" (ie. Paul before conversion) was, he lived his day by
day life persecuting the church of God. (Gal. 1:13) Today,
Beelzebub's desire is to turn the world to different forms of
false "christianity". They will WORK AS HARD to make
"converts" as Paul did before he got saved. This will make
the work of God's TRUE PEOPLE much harder. People will find
it hard to grasp GENUINE FAITH because of so many
counterfeits. HOW CAN WE KNOW WHAT IS THE TRUTH? It will
always be rejected by the majority, even as Jesus and his
message was. Many people see Jesus speaking to the
multitudes, and forget that they rejected him. Look at what
happened in John 6 after Jesus preached a sermon of SPIRITUAL
SYMBOLISM to the multitudes. They all forsook him, even
though they had just seen him perform great miracles. The
total number of genuine converts from the combined ministry
of Jesus and John the Baptist were 120 (Acts 1:15--Jesus told
his followers to tarry there and those who truly believed him
did just that.)  TRUE CHURCHES will grow rather steadily, BUT
NEVER FAST. The "type" of our day in the life of Noah showed
"few" saved. I Peter 3:20, "Which sometime were disobedient,
when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of
Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherin few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water." Other scriptures also teach
the same thing.

Matthew 7:13, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:" verse 14, "Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it."

Matthew 20:16, "So the last shall be first, and the first
last: for many be called, but few chosen."

Matthew 22:14, "For many are called, but few are chosen."

Luke 18:8, "I tell you that he  will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith
on the earth? "

False  religion  is taking  prophesies  of the  EARLY CHURCH
(the day of the main harvest), and applying them to our day
(the time of the final gleaning; see picture in Matthew 13).
Do not let your eyes and ears deceive you. Beelzebub's
counterfeits are sweeping the world today. People are talking
constantly about "signs". Jesus said that it is "evil" people
who seek after signs (ie. Matt. 12:39).
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people  are  being  taught  that  if they are saved,
they do not commit sin, and that anyone who commits any act
of sin is of the Devil. WE WANT TO STRESS RIGHT NOW THAT GOD
HATES SIN, WE HATE SIN, AND WE DO NOT TEACH THAT YOU HAVE TO
SIN, OR  THAT YOU WILL WANT TO SIN! However, because of the
weakness of our flesh, we as Christians DO STUMBLE, and
commit sin unintentionally. The Bible speaks of several
instances that Paul sinned "unintentionally" after he was
saved. One instance he refers to in I Corinthians (11:7 and
12:13), where he speaks of his offense (same Greek word is
used over 170 times in the Bible and in EVERY other place it
is translated "sin") and of his "wrong" (same Greek word that
is translated "unrighteousness" in I John 5:17, "All
unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.").
Certainly this is partly why Paul did not claim to be
"perfect" in Philippians the third  chapter (vs. 12). True,
Paul DID say he was perfect in verse 15. However, he did not
contradict himself. He used a different Greek word which
meant that he was a "mature" Christian. That is also the
meaning of the word "perfect", that the Lord tells us to
attain (ie. "Be ye therefore perfect...").

I John 3:8-9  is  speaking  of  HABITUAL SIN. He is  saying
that it is impossible for a Christian to sin HABITUALLY (a
careful study of the context and meanings of the Greek words
will prove this). However, John has already balanced his
statement earlier in his letter. I John 1:7, "But if we walk
in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
(Greek shows CONTINUAL action of this verb) us from all sin."
verse 8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves. and the truth is not in us." verse 9, "If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." verse 10,
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and
his word is not in us." (speaking to saved people - note I
Jn. 2:1, "My little children"... along with I John 2:12, 13,
18-21, 24, 28 ---- John uses the same term "we" in I John
3:1-2 that he used in I John 1:7-10).

I believe  the words  of  Job are a  very good  lesson for us
today (DO YOU CLAIM TO LIVE MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN JOB UNDER THE
SAME CIRCUMSTANCES?).

Job 9:20, "If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn
me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse."
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people today  are  taught that  sin  is a "WILFULL"
transgression of the law. However, we need to notice the
scripture carefully.

I John 3:4, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the
law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Sin is the
transgression of the law, but not necessarily a WILFULL
transgression of that law. In fact, Paul made the statement
in Hebrews 10:26, "For if we sin wilfully  after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sins," verse 27, "But a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries."

Paul  would  not  have said  "if  we sin  wilfully", if it
were only possible to sin in a wilfull manner. The Bible
definitely shows us that men and women who are saved can sin
unintentionally. This type of sin is called "errors", or
"secret faults" in Psalms 19:12, "Who can understand his
errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." Compare this to
the presumptuous sins in Psalms 19:13, "Keep back thy servant
also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over
me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the
great transgression." In Leviticus chapters 4 and 5, and in
other chapters in the Old Testament, this type of sin is
called "sins of ignorance."

What  does  the  Bible actually  tell us that  sin is? Have
you considered these verses?

I John 5:17, "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin
not unto death."

James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and
doeth it not, to him it is sin."

James 2:9, "But  if ye have respect to persons, ye commit
sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

Romans 14:23b, "...for whatsoever is not of faith is
sin."
Proverbs 21:4, "An high look, and a proud heart, and the
plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God;" This verse of scripture actually describes
what sin is. Sin, from the Greek word "hamartia", means to
fall short of the target: to miss the mark. Paul is saying in
Romans 3:23 that "all have MISSED THE MARK, and come short of
the glory of God." Paul is seemingly picturing a target being
set up before the marksmen. These marksmen are naturally
trying to hit the very center of the target, yet Paul shows
us that even though we strive as Christians to hit the target
of the glory of God, if we fall short of that target, we sin.
This is why Paul taught us in Philippians (3:14), that he was
still "pressing toward the mark", or in another words, he was
still striving to hit the target of the glory of God.
          *         *         *         *         *
Most people today  are  taught  that  SATAN WAS ONCE AN
ANGEL IN HEAVEN who rebelled and was kicked out of heaven.
This teaching comes as a result of literalizing certain
passages of scripture that are intended for spiritual
lessons. We do not have space here to go into great details,
to prove that the devil was never in heaven, but have you
ever considered these scriptures?

Isaiah 45:7, "I form the light, and create darkness: I make
peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."

This passage  tells  us  that  God created  "evil", even
though that some people try to take away from its real
meaning by saying that the evil refers to "calamity". We need
to recognize that the Hebrew word translated evil in this
passage is the same Hebrew word that is translated evil in
Genesis 2:17 in reference to the tree of the knowledge of
good and "evil". This Hebrew word is always used in contrast
to the word "good". It means the opposite of "good".

Colossians 1:16, "For by him were all things created, that
are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers: all things were created by him, and for him:" verse
17, "And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist,"  verse 18, "And he is the head of the body, the
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;
that in all things he might have the preeminence." This
passage shows us that everything that is in existence,
whether literal or spiritual, was made by Jesus Christ. That
would even include the Devil himself. Job 41 teaches us that
God created a creature called "leviathan", who is spoken of
in verse 34 as a "king over all the children of pride." Any
person studying the Bible from a spiritual point of view can
readily see that this chapter is a description (spiritually)
of Satan. Studying other passages of scripture which refer to
"leviathan" will enable the reader to understand that he
definitely is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of Satan.
Psalms 104:26, "There go the ships: there is that leviathan,
whom thou hast made to play therein.

This  speaks  of  "leviathan" as  being  "made" by the Lord.
This lets us see that Satan was not created to be an angelic
being, but was created to "play in the sea". The "sea" is a
symbol of wicked people (study Isa. 57:20, Rev. 17:15, Isa.
60:5 and context, Jude 13 and context). He was created as an
ungodly and wicked spirit, to "play" amongst wicked people.
Many people cannot understand why God would have created an
adversary to His people. We must remember that without an
adversary, we would have no means to have a choice whether we
would serve the Lord, or serve another god.

II Corinthians 4:4, "In  whom the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them."

Satan is called  the  "god  of  this  world." By setting
another god, an evil god, before the world, God enabled each
man to "CHOOSE" whom he would serve. Many  people  make  the
statement  that it  is not fair for God to create the devil
to do what he is doing, and then to punish him for all
eternity. These people have not studied their Bibles
carefully enough. If we study, we will find that there are no
scriptures that actually teach that Satan will be punished in
any manner. Many people will run to the passage in Revelation
20:10, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the
lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever
and ever." A  careful study  of the  entire  chapter will
reveal that the devil mentioned in Rev. 20:10 is the same
devil called the "dragon" which is the " devil and satan"
which is mentioned in Rev. 20:2. We must be very careful not
to assume that every person or thing that is called Satan or
the Devil is actually Beelzebub (ie: the evil spirit who is
the "god of this world"). For example, in Matthew 16:23,
Jesus called Peter, "SATAN". In John 6:70, Jesus called Judas
"a devil." In I Timothy 3:11, Paul said a deacon's wife must
not be a "slanderer", and used the same Greek word that is
translated "devil" in Revelation chapters 12 and 20. The
words "devil" and "satan" are not actually names. They are
translated from descriptive Greek words which mean "false
accuser" (devil) and "adversary" (satan). If this dragon in
Revelation 12 and 20 is literally Beelzebub (the god of this
world), then he also is literally a red monster so huge that
his tail extends beyond our galaxy (Rev. 12:4), and even
after he is kicked out of heaven (Rev. 12:9) he still
persecutes a woman who is IN HEAVEN (Rev. 12:1 & 13). If you
will study in Revelation 12, you will notice that this
"dragon" is not actually Beelzebub (ie: Satan) himself, but
is the PAGAN ROMAN EMPIRE (PAGANISM) that is shown to be
opposing and killing God's people. Paganism is definitely
tormented in the (spiritual) lake of fire. However, Satan
does not have a body, and never will. As a result, Satan will
not suffer in literal flames, neither can he suffer in
spiritual flames. The spiritual torment in the lake of fire
is the pain of eternal seperation from the presense of God.
Since Satan is not tormented by being separated from the
presense of God, then he will not suffer for eternity, but
rather will find that hell will be a reward for him and his
demonic spirits.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people today are taught that LUCIFER IS BEELZEBUB, THE
DEVIL. However, we need to make a careful study of Isaiah 14
in order to know the person to whom this passage refers. Have
you ever considered the context of Isaiah 14:12? In Isaiah 13
the subject is the Medes coming against the nation of
Babylon.

In Isaiah 14:4, the prophet says "take up this proverb
against the king of Babylon." A careful study of Isaiah 14:9-
10, will show that before the events concerning Lucifer (Isa.
14:12-17) took place, there had been other kings of many
nations that had lived on this earth. This means the kings of
the nations of the world would have had to have lived before
the time Satan was cast out of heaven (if Lucifer were
literally THE DEVIL). We need to realize that Isaiah 14 is a
symbolic passage of scripture, dealing with the king of
Babylon who would try to exalt himself, or lift himself up
above God and His people. This king was Nebuchadnezzar, who
not only took the people of Jerusalem captive and lead them
away into Babylon, but who also caused the people of God to
fall down before the idols of Babylon. In doing this,
Nebuchadnezzar attempted to exalt his throne or his rule
above that of God, and the "stars" of God (ie: the people of
God; Daniel 12:3). There are many descriptions in Isaiah 14
that will show us that Nebuchadnezzar is the person being
referred to as Lucifer. We need to stop and consider that
chapter 13 is a reference to ancient Babylon. Then chapter 14
goes on in verse 22-23 and continues to speak of the
destruction of ancient Babylon. Even though these things also
convey spiritual lessons, they were prophecies concerning
literal events that took place under the Old Testament
covenant. Today, they ARE being fulfilled SPIRITUALLY, in the
false religious system of spiritual Babylon. They have no
reference whatsoever to Beelzebub  as Jesus called him (that
is Satan himself), but are only a picture of the system that
Satan has used against the people of God.
          *         *         *         *         *
There is much confusion in the world today on the subject of
the LORD'S SUPPER. Most people feel they regularly
participate in the Lord's Supper when they eat a piece of
unleavened bread, and drink some grape juice or wine.  Many
prople practice what  they call "mass" or the "Lord's Supper"
nearly every service  when they gather together in their
church buildings. However, they are actually falling prey to
the same gross error that caused the multitudes to forsake
Jesus Christ in the first century. Though Paul did not deal
with the thought in great detail, he made a statement in I
Corinthians 11:29 ("For he  that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh  damnation to himself, not
discerning the Lord's body.") that  is worthy of our
consideration. We need to notice that word  "discerning",
realizing that it means to be able to determine  or judge
what is the Lord's body. Paul was showing us that  many
people do not know what the real Lord's supper is  supposed
to be, or what is to be fed upon in the true Lord's  Supper.
We find this to be true in the religious realm today,  as
people constantly partake of literal food, thinking that
they are feeding on the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.
John 6:53, "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and
drink his blood, ye have no life in you." verse, "54 Whoso
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up at the last day." verse 55, "For my
flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed." verse
56, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth
in me, and I in him."

Then Jesus went on in verse 63 to explain that the people had
misunderstood his purpose or meaning.

John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are
spirit, and they are life."

Jesus was teaching us that His WORD is the means of our
feeding upon His flesh and blood. When Jesus gathered with
the disciples, and participated in the passover meal
(commonly called the Lord's Supper), it was actually done for
a "type" set forth during the Old Testement (which did not
fully come to an end until 37 years after Jesus' death), so
that we might be able to learn the spiritual lessons for us
today. Friend, the only way to eat the Lord's Supper is to
feed upon the word of God. This is why that in Acts 20:28,
Paul did not say that we should take heed to  feed men and
women on the unleavened bread and on the grape juice.
Instead, Paul did say that we should take heed to feed the
church of God. That feeding is spiritual. It is the same kind
of feeding mentioned in Jeremiah 3:15, "And I will give you
pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with
knowledge and understanding."  Unless we have this kind of
food week by week; unless we receive the word of God
regularly, we will die spiritually, and be without hope for
all eternity.
          *         *         *         *         *
  Many people today are being taught what is commonly called
  a RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH (I am not talking about the thought
  of resurrection in general). This teaching tells us that
  there will be a time when the Lord will resurrect all who
  are saved, and those who are saved and living at that time,
  and those who have been resurrected, will be taken to be
  with the Lord, while the wicked are left here upon the
  earth. This teaching is totally contrary to the word of
  God, and is commonly taken from the passage in Revelation
  20:4, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
  judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them
  that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the
  word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast,
  neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their
  foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned
  with Christ a thousand years."

This passage in Revelation 20:4 speaks of a thousand year
reign, but it also describes the people that take part in
this thousand year reign. They are spoken of as "SOULS" that
were "BEHEADED" for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of
God. A careful study will show us that those who are reigning
with Christ during this time (described in Rev. 20:4), are
slain or martyred for the cause of Christ. Certainly this is
not the picture that is being painted by the religious world
today, of that which is commonly called the rapture. Does the
Bible really teach that the saved will be taken from this
world while the lost are left here for a period of
tribulation? In Paul's writings in the book of Acts, he
described one general resurrection for both the saved and the
lost. Acts 24:15b, "...that there shall be a resurrection of
the dead, both of the just and unjust."

Jesus taught in John 5:28-29 that ALL that are in the graves
(saved and lost) will resurrect at the same hour.
John 6:39, "And this is the Father's will  which hath sent
me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing,
but should raise it up again at the last day."

Jesus speaks of the saved persons being raised up in the LAST
DAY. He reemphasizes the fact in John 6:40, "And this is the
will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son,
and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day."

John 6:54, "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

He once again stresses the LAST DAY. If Jesus is to resurrect
saved people in the LAST DAY, then there will be NO days left
for the lost to dwell upon the earth.
          *         *         *         *         *
Various churches that stress EMOTIONALISM cause people to
feel that to be excited or in a state of tears or ecstasy in
the flesh is a tremendous religious experience. Some people
even go so far as to feel they are more spiritual when they
experience some form of unusual fleshly feeling. We need to
always remind ourself that there are not any scriptures
showing us that Jesus acted in such a manner. There are no
scriptures that describe Jesus going through the experiences
of fleshly emotionalism that are so prevalent in modern day
religion.

Acts 17:24, "God that made the world and all things therin,
seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in
temples made with hands;" verse 25, "Neither is worshipped
with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he
giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;"

We would like to draw your attention to verse 25 where Paul
said that God is not "worshipped with men's hands." We
realize that we use our hands in different ways to serve God,
and we can raise our hands in testimony of the goodness of
God as we sing in the church services. However, we do this
for the purpose of giving forth our testimony to our fellow
saints. The raising of our hands has NOTHING to do with the
worship of God, neither do ANY activities of our flesh. God
is worshipped in "SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH" (Jn.4), and our flesh
has little to do with it. We realize that many times in
striving to demonstrate humility in  worship, we may get down
on our knees or fall upon our faces to pray or worship God,
but that is not what gives God worship. We could get on our
knees and STILL FAIL TO WORSHIP IN OUR HEART. If that were
the form of worship, then lost people would be able to
worship God because they could go through the bodily motions
or fall down upon their knees. However, the Bible shows us
that ONLY SAVED people can truly worship God, and God is not
worshipped with men's hands or men's flesh. This means that
these ecstatic emotional experiences in the flesh are a means
of possible deception brought about as a work of the devil.
For this reason, we must be ever so careful that we are not
mislead and deceived by the emotional religions of these last
days.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people are taught that  salvation automatically makes
you a part the church. This teaching has been handed down
through the last several generations, and comes as a
misunderstanding of Acts 2:47. Actually, if everyone who is
saved is a part of the church of God, then that would mean
that they were the church of God wherever they went to
church, and this would take away the need to call God's
people out of Babylon (i.e. FALSE religion). Actually the
word church in the Greek language comes from a word which
means gathering or assembling together. The church of God is
the gathering of God's people. To be a part of the church of
God, one must gather with God's people. One must faithfully
come to the services that they might be able to be fed upon
the the word of God. Someone might ask, "what does Acts 2:47
mean if it doesn't teach that God automatically adds people
who get saved to the Church?" In answer to that question we
must remember that when Acts 2:47 took place, SPIRITUAL
BABYLON did not exist. In fact, Christianity had not yet
begun to apostatize, so there was NO FALSE Christianity at
that time. As a result, when anyone got truly saved, they
joined themselves to God's true people, and became a part of
"the church of God which he hath purchased with his own
blood" as described in Acts 20:28.

For this reason, it could truly be said that "the Lord added
to the Church daily such as should be saved", because every
time that  a person was saved they became a part of the
assembly of God's TRUE people. However, in our day and time
there are many deceptions and counterfeits. As a result, some
people get genuinely saved and then find themselves deceived,
and falling prey to false forms of religion. They do not
become a part of God's church. They need to "come out" of
Babylon (Rev. 18:4).
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people today are taught that THE PLAN OF SALVATION is
described in Acts 2:38. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost."

If people would make a careful study of this passage of
scripture and its context, they would find that Peter was
addressing the message to the "house of Israel", or the
literal Jews who were gathered on the day of Pentecost. These
men are described in Acts 2:5, where it tells us that they
were "Jews, devout men" who had gathered there in Jerusalem
out of every nation under heaven to worship God. Many of
these men were saved under the Old Covenant experience of
salvation. They had all the experience of salvation they
could possibly have until the time they could come to realize
that Jesus Christ was truly the son of God and that He had
fulfilled the role of the Messiah, bringing the means of
redemption for their sins. This is why Peter told them in
Acts 2:38 to "repent and be baptised" in the name of Jesus
Christ. They needed to repent of the fact that they had
rejected Christ, even though they had thought they were doing
right. They thought he was an imposter since they felt that
the one that was the Messiah would come and set up a literal
kingdom. Since Jesus came and set up a spiritual kingdom and
refused to be their literal king, they rejected him as the
Messiah. Peter made very clear that his message was addressed
strictly to literal Jews (the men of Israel). In Acts 2:22,
he spoke of the "men of Israel" being the ones who should
hear his words. In Acts 2:36, he addressed his message to the
"HOUSE OF ISRAEL." When they were convicted by his sermon
they asked Peter and the apostles, "Men and brethren what
shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) They spoke desiring to know what
they should do because they had rejected their Messiah and
crucified him. Peter told them they needed to "repent and be
baptised" in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost  (or
in other words, they would receive New Testament salvation).

The real passage of scripture tht describes how to be saved
(for us as Gentiles today) is in Acts 16:30-31. The jailer of
the prison where Paul and Silas were held captive at Philippi
asks the question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts
16:31 says, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved..." Paul let us know that in order to
be saved, we must have genuine faith to believe in, or in
other words, to RECEIVE Jesus. In fact, in John 1:12 he said;
"But as  many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his
name." This shows us that receiving Jesus, and believing in
Jesus are one and the same. This is why, in Acts 16:31, we
are told to believe on (ie: receive), the Lord Jesus Christ.
We might consider briefly the question that is often asked;
"How can one who is spiritually dead manage to believe in or
receive the Lord Jesus Christ"? Ephesians 2:8 says that we
are saved by "grace" through "FAITH". Romans 10:13-17 teaches
that "Faith comes by HEARING (not reading) the WORD OF GOD"
when it is preached. This implies that salvation comes
through the WORD OF GOD. James 1:18 testifies to this truth
by stating that true Christians are "begotten" by GOD through
the "WORD of truth". This means that we are conceived
spiritually through the WORD OF GOD.


Peter also taught the same in 1 Peter 1:18-25. Verse 23 says,
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth
forever ". Although the translaters have rendered the Greek
language to refer here to the BIRTH process ("born again"),
it is obvious that Peter was referring to the conception
process or in other words, the initial GIVING of LIFE. This
can be seen by his mention of the "seed". Seed has to do with
the fathers part in bringing forth life which is conception
and certainly not birth.


We have heard from Paul, James, and Peter as to how we can be
saved. Now let us listen to what John has to say when he
speaks to us the very words of Jesus on this matter. John
6:53, 54, and 63, "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my
flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will
raise him up at the last day. " " It is the spirit that
quickeneth (giveth life); the flesh profiteth nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are
life. "

All of these texts teach us the very same thing as many other
scriptures and types. We must spiritually FEED on the word of
God if we are to have spiritual life and be children of God.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people teach that it is entirely wrong for a church to
speak against another church. They use the scripture in
Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." They take
that passage out of its context, and teach that it is
actually WRONG TO JUDGE in any situation as a child of God.
However, let's notice the context of the scripture they use.

Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
verse 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" This passage of
scripture shows us how to know who are false preachers.
However, we cannot beware of false preachers if we have no
means to judge or discern who false preachers are. The
scripture tells us that they wear sheep's clothing. This
means that they have the appearance of being sheep (ie: true
Christians). Jesus lets us know that on the "outside" (of
their lives), they appear to be genuine children of God.
However, he says that their inward condition is terrible. It
is like a "ravening wolf" and extremely dangerous. We MUST
JUDGE to determine whether or not a preacher is false or
whether he is a true man of God.

Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven." verse 22, "Many will
say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name  done many wonderful works?" verse 23, "And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity."

In these passages, Jesus shows us that false preachers will
be very busy in the work of the Lord. They will be preaching
in the name of the Lord. They will be working miracles in the
name of the Lord. However, when the time comes that they are
judged, they and their fellows will hear the words, "I never
knew you." Friend, how sad it is if we have no means of
judging to determine who is false and what is true when it
comes to the work of God. Paul said in I Corinthians 6:1
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law
before the unjust, and not before the saints?" verse 2, "Do
ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the
world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the
smallest matters?" Paul is showing us in this passage of
scripture that the saints of God should be able to judge one
amongst another to determine who is right and who is wrong in
the church. This is definitely necessary to be able to carry
on the true work of God.

Jesus' words in Matthew 7:1 were "Judge not that ye be not
judged." He went on to show us His real teaching was that we
should not judge someone else when we ourselves might be as
guilty or even more guilty than they are whom we judge. We
need to remember this whenever we have to make a judgement
and take care that we are longsuffering, and that all
judgements that we make are from a heart of love and genuine
concern for God's people (1 Peter 4:8).
          *         *         *         *         *
Most false doctrines that are being taught today are believed
by people because they do not understand the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Many people believe that there is a difference between the
kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. It is quite easy to
prove the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are one
and the same. There is one kingdom, and as John tells us in
Revelation, he was in the kingdom when he wrote Revelation.
(Rev. 1:9).

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:13 that he had been translated
into the kingdom of God's dear son. Many people might believe
that the kingdom of God and the kingdom that Jesus
established are different kingdoms. However, the Bible shows
us that they are one and the same. Study and compare the
accounts that are described in the gospels and you will find
that in the very same events (as described by different
writers) the terms "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God"
are used interchangeably. The writers of the gospels had come
to realize that the kingdom was spiritual and that there was
only one kingdom referred to by several different titles.

Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. This was not
understood by the mobs in the time of Christ. When Jesus rode
into Jerusalem upon the colt, the crowds gathered around and
hailed him the "king of the Jews." Jesus did not come to be a
literal king. He came to set up a spiritual kingdom, and
because  his desire was in the spiritual realm the people
rejected him. If Jesus had been willing to be a physical and
literal king and to overthrow the Roman government, then the
Jewish people would not have crucified him. The sad situation
is that in our day and time most men and women still believe
in a coming literal kingdom. As a result, if Jesus were to
come today most people would reject him as being false
because they would be looking for a LITERAL KINGDOM and the
opportunity to possess great wealth in the material and
physical realm. Jesus' teaching will always enable us to
learn to put aside the things of the material world and to
strive towards the things of the spiritual realm which will
last through all eternity. Jesus definitely succeeded in his
mission when he came to this earth. He DID establish his
kingdom. Today, if you are saved you are in the kingdom of
God. If you have received Jesus Christ as your King, you are
a part of that kingdom. There will never be a literal kingdom
of God upon this earth. Definitely, God is striving to awaken
men and women to the truth that either they get in the
kingdom now, or they will never get into the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when
the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said,
The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:"  verse 21,
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold,
the kingdom of God is within you."

If men and women could just understand this simple truth; the
kingdom of God comes as the result of the King (Jesus Christ)
reigning in the hearts and lives of his people (through the
Holy Spirit/ Word of God).
          *         *         *         *         *
Most people today believe in what is commonly called the
TRINITY doctrine. However, most people are confused as to the
meaning of the trinity, and whether or not there are actually
three separate Gods or whether there is one being manifested
in three different ways. If we study the Bible carefully we
find that Jesus gave us some important teaching on these
lines in John 17:20-23. Jesus prayed in verse 21 that we
might be one even as he and the Father are one. Now we
realize that we as Christians are not just one individual. We
as Christians are many individuals, yet there is a oneness,
or a unity that is what Jesus was referring to. He was
speaking of the unity of the faith and the unity of the
Spirit. Jesus was not in any manner teaching that He and the
Father are one individual or one person. Rather, he was
teaching that he and the Father are one in SPIRIT and in
TRUTH.

Isaiah 44:6, "Thus saith  the Lord the King of Israel, and
his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the
last; and beside me there is no God."

There are many passages such as this in the scripture that
speak of God as one God, and yet the context shows that He is
actually speaking of two beings. This describes the Lord the
King of Israel, AND His Redeemer the Lord of Hosts. This
passage pictures two beings; Jesus Christ (before he gave up
his position as God to be our savior; for more information
please contact us) and God the Father. Many other passages of
scripture throughout the Bible also describe two distinct
beings as God.
          *         *         *         *         *
Many people today feel that they are fulfilling the word of
God by literally practicing feetwashing in the manner they
feel is illustrated in John 13. We do need to realize that
every literal event taking place in the scriptures up to the
time of Jesus' death is in the Old Covenant. These historical
events illustrate to us spiritual lessons as we have
mentioned already in this booklet.  Certainly there are
some passages of scripture in John 13 that give us keys to a
proper understanding of what Jesus was trying to portray. If
you would like further information we would be glad to send
you a booklet on "Spiritual Feetwashing." If you are not
certain whether this passage is teaching literal or spiritual
feetwashing, then we would like to draw your attention to
John 13:7, "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou
knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Certainly
Peter was able to realize what Jesus was doing in a literal
or fleshly sense. Even if Jesus had desired to illustrate
humility to his disciples he still would have been able to
explain to them his purpose. Humility was a subject of the
Old Testament scriptures, and certainly could have been
comprehended by those who followed Christ. However, Jesus was
illustrating a lesson that they were not capable of knowing
at that time, and yet would be able to understand at a later
time. Jesus actually was illustrating the lesson that Paul
taught in Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in
a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted."

There is certainly a much greater lesson in John 13 than just
a teaching of practicing feetwashing with pans of water and
towels. Even the fact that Jesus removed his clothes was an
important part of the lesson in the spiritual sense.
          *         *         *         *         *
Most people today seem to believe that SALVATION comes by
praying, and asking God's forgiveness for one's sins. Most
evangelists and preachers ask lost people to pray after them
repeating the words so that these individuals might be saved.
However, the Bible makes some very plain statements about the
fact that God WILL NOT hear the prayer of a lost person. Many
times in preaching, ministers will make the statement that
God will not hear a lost person's prayer except the prayer of
repentance. However, this also is an unscriptural teaching.
The Bible fact is, GOD DOES NOT HEAR ANY LOST PERSON'S
PRAYER!!! The only means of salvation is receiving Jesus
Christ (as we mentioned earlier), that we might be able to
approach God and ask His forgiveness. Jesus Christ becomes
our intercessor or mediator to enable us to approach the
throne of grace as Paul teaches us in Hebrews 4:14-16.

Let us look at some of the scriptures that show us that God
will not listen to a lost person's prayer:

Psalms 66:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord
will not hear me:"

Proverbs 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination."

Proverbs 15:29, "The Lord is far from the wicked: but he
heareth the prayer of the righteous."

I Peter 3:12, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the
face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Micah 3:4, "Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will
not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that
time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings."

Isaiah 1:15, "And when ye spread forth your hands, I will
hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I
will not  hear: your hands are full of blood."

John 9:31, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if
any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he
heareth." (Note that Jesus did not correct them on this)

Proverbs 1:24, "Because I have called, and ye refused: I have
stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;" verse 25, "But
ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my
reproof:" verse 26, "I also will laugh at your calamity; I
will mock when your fear cometh;" verse 27, "When your fear
cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a
whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you." verse
28, "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;
they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:" verse
29, "For that  they hated knowledge, and did not choose the
fear  of the Lord:" verse 30, "They would none of my counsel:
they despised all my reproof." verse 31, "Therefore shall
they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with
with their own devices."

Paul teaches us in Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." However, he is not
teaching salvation by prayer. Paul tells us that it is
impossible to call on the name of the Lord, until one has
first BELIEVED. This shows us that the means of salvation
comes through believing so that a person might be enabled to
call upon the Lord. Paul tells us they cannot believe unless
they have heard and they cannot hear without a preacher that
is truly sent be God to bring forth the word of truth.

Many people use I John 1:9 to teach people how to be saved.
They stress that confession of sins is the means of
salvation. However, in I John 1:9 the writer is speaking to
Christian people who have stumbled in their Christian walk
(see previous part of this booklet). John is not referring to
the means of salvation, but rather to a privilege that we
enjoy in salvation. Paul perhaps worded it best in Hebrews
4:14, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast our profession." verse 15, "For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin." verse 16, "Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find
grace to help in time of need."

Certainly this is the manner of calling upon God's
forgiveness, and it is reserved for those who have Jesus
Christ as their High Priest. This is definitely not a passage
of scripture teaching us how to be saved.

There are hundreds of other subjects we would like to
mention, but space will not allow us in this booklet. It is
our sincere prayer that something in this study will inspire
you to dig into the wonderful word of God. Just remember,
there are THOUSANDS of "types" (spiritual pictures portrayed
by literal history) that will reveal even the VERY DEEP
THINGS OF GOD (I Cor. 2:10).

If you would like to obtain more free Bible Studies, please
write to us at the Bible Study Center, P.O. Box 1 Irvine,
or call our computer bulletin board to download ASCII files
of Bible Studies at [phone].